The trophy is one of perhaps six must-have photographs for first-time visitors to the Hall -- The Trophy, The Dome, The Sign, Jim Thorpe, The Bench, The Busts.

The sign

There it is, on the front steps of the HOF, “PRO FOOTBALL” in white over blue across the top. “HALL OF FAME,” over a red backing down the right side. A photo with the sign is like a stamp in the passport: Look where I was. Fierle calls it “the most photographed sign” in Ohio.

“We get visitors from all 50 states and up to 60, 70 countries in a year’s time,” he said, “and their first stop is almost always out there.”

Jim Thorpe

The next photo op is just inside the doors. A 7-foot-tall statue of Jim Thorpe, frozen in mid-juke, hips snaking to the right. It begs for a photo.

“As everybody starts their tour, they usually stop there and get a nice group photo,” Fierle said.

The busts

Everyone may have a different favorite, but as a whole, the room with the bronze heads is the most popular spot for photos, Fierle said.

“This is obviously what people think of when they think of the Hall of Fame,” Fierle said. “These bronze busts really are what represent this institution.”

Fans hunt players from their hometown teams, or they snap shots of those they admire. In some instances, visitors will snap the empty spot along the wall where an inductee’s bust is slated to be positioned. That was the case recently when an inductee himself, Andre Tippett, visited with a group of New England Patriots rookies. Fierle said Tippett posed for a shot where his bust will be placed after his Aug. 2 induction.

The bench

Though it’s new, a bench scene featuring Hall of Famers from various generations is certain to become a mainstay of visitors’ photo albums from their trip to the Hall. The statue includes legendary coach George Halas barking orders at a team of famed players from football’s yesteryear: Anthony Mu–oz, Jim Brown, Joe Greene, Walter Payton, Reggie White, Sammy Baugh, Don Hutson and Johnny Unitas.

The image is striking at first and memorable even without a photo.

The dome

The crown atop of the Hall of Fame is a popular outside shot. Fierle said people often snap this image on their way out of the building. It’s a way to capture that final look at the building so many football fans long to visit.

“They make sure they get the building behind them,” Fierle said. “The dome is so iconic.”

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